David Cotteblanche, co-owner of Red Market New York, takes a few minutes out of his day to answer a few interview questions.

Interviewer: What is the story behind the name Red Market?David Cotteblanche:We first opened up in the meatpacking district, and it was kind of a variety of life in the nighttime. We were one of the first late-night salons in NYC. The previous space from the meatpacking district was all about nighttime and the color red, and that helped with the ambiance we created here.

Interviewer: How old were you when you first decided you wanted to be a hair stylist?David Cotteblanche: I was sixteen, living in Paris. I loved the opportunity and I made it my life. My parents were very supportive of that. I first wanted to become a chef, but I changed after I was working very late and long days. I wanted to interact with people, and I wanted to be creative too, which you could do as a chef. But I wanted to be creative with women; I always wanted to express myself with creativity. So I went into the hair business. The point is to make people happy.

Interviewer: What are three words you or your friends would use to describe your personality?David Cotteblanche: Happy, fun, and creative, of course!

Interviewer: Who was your first client? And what did you do for them?David Cotteblanche: My brother and my father. I cut short haircuts for them and then after I would cut my mother’s hair. I also had some Gypsy friends, and I would go to their camp and practice on all of them. It was a good experience, I learned early that way.

Interviewer: If you could style any celebrity’s hair today, who would it be and why?David Cotteblanche: Marion Cotillard. She is very versatile…she is doing the Dior campaign. Every time you look at her from red carpet to a campaign to a photo shoot, she’s changing so much.

David styling a model for a photoshoot

Interviewer: What is your typical thought process when styling someone for a red carpet event?David Cotteblanche: Getting to know the person, and what she’s going to wear –as is if someone is going to a wedding. I love doing wedding and photo shoots, I love to be in the salon but also outside too. Outside you can bring the creativity from the salon. This weekend I did a few weddings on Friday and Saturday. It was beautiful.

Interviewer: What was it like contributing to the New York Post segment on chic older women in New York?David Cotteblanche: One of my clients was profiled by this author who wanted to write about older women in New York and their fashion. I love this type of client. But we look for everyone, not just this type of woman or that type of client, we look for anyone who wants to enjoy the experience and we give that to them. They share back their experience with us, and that’s part of New York too — people whose character bring a vibe to it all.

Interviewer: What was it like working for Jacques Dessange in the 90s?David Cotteblanche: Jacques is a businessman, with 500 franchises around the world. The experience with traveling with his company was very good. We went through training and we got knowledge and life experience. But since the 90s the hair industry has changed a bit, and now you see more people want to return to a boutique salon.

Interviewer: What was it like working for Frederic Fekkai, and how old were you when you worked for him?David Cotteblanche: I was about 27. That was a good experience too. It was even more corporate. I learned a lot about American corporations — what to do, what not to do. And I think learning to be more corporate was a good thing for my business. It was the best experience of my life.

Interviewer: What are some new hairstyle and color trends for the season?David Cotteblanche: Hairstyles are going shorter — like a bob just a touch above the shoulder. Or more of an extreme look like the singer Pink has, that is shorter on the sides — sort of like the 80s look. Color for the fall is all like blends, or pastels. Another trend is wigs. In many of the magazines like Vogue, the models are wearing wigs. Wigs are very sexy, and they can be versatile. I think people want to be able to change their look. We see that more and more.

Cut by David

Interviewer:Describe your signature hairstyle.David Cotteblanche: My hairstyle would be based on the quality of the hair. I do a haircut for my client that is unique to her, what her style is, because it makes her happy. I want a total look, to make custom made haircut for you, based on your style, your clothes, your look. So it depends on the person. So everything flows together — your clothes move, your hair moves, it’s all together.

Interviewer: What makes you intensely happy about the world of hair and beauty? How do you define beauty?David Cotteblanche: To see my clients with a beautiful smile makes me happy.Beauty is inside. It comes from your heart. When you are happy inside and you feel good about yourself inside you will automatically present yourself outside like that. Happiness is when you put your mind in a state of positive thinking.

Interviewer: Being French and living in American culture, how does that affect your perception of things and life?David Cotteblanche: In a big way because America is now my home, but it’s like my second home. There is so much culture here. And my wife is from Boston, but she was born in the Philippines. So there is a mix of culture in my life.

Interviewer: Describe your morning routine, how do you get ready for the day?David Cotteblanche: I get up and I work out. I do one hour of running or yoga. After that, I spend time with my son before I go to work.

Interviewer: What is it like being a father in this business, and what hopes do you have for your son?David Cotteblanche: Being in this business is very exciting. I begin my work day a little bit later so I can enjoy the morning with Max, which is a great thing. I wanted to share the experience with the fashion world and the beauty world and expose him to that. I bring him on photo shoots and such. It’s fantastic for him at his age. It’s the best experience.

Interviewer: If you could go back in time and you were able to do the hair of a movie star, like for example Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe, who would it be and why?David Cotteblanche: James Dean, absolutely.

Interviewer: Lastly, is there any quote or motto that you live by?David Cotteblanche: This one [pointing to a tattoo on his left arm]: ‘Too fast to live, too young to die.’”Interviewer note: This quote is often associated with Sid Vicious from The Sex Pistols, but also appears in a lyric from the song titled “James Dean,” by The Eagles.